The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102815.cfm) reminds me how important and powerful prayer is.
Good leaders lead by example. It is one thing to teach or tell others what to do and what needs to be done, and it is another thing doing it yourself. This is why people have greater respect for leaders who do what they preach. People have higher respect to leaders who can actually do what they are asking people to do. Jesus is this kind of leader.
In the gospel, we see how much Jesus values prayer. He does not only teach about the importance of prayer. He actually prays. A lot. He knows how powerful and important it is to pray and be one with God, so he spent the night in prayer before making an important decision - choosing his apostles
Prayer is a free and direct line to God.
Jesus, being the Son of God, knows how important prayer is. He knows how powerful it is. He knows that he needs it and he spends time for it. This should tell us something. This should remind us of something.
We make a lot of decisions in life. We make a lot of decisions daily. And just as Jesus immersed himself in prayer, so should we. Hopefully, we also include God in the picture. Hopefully we spend time with him and also consult him to know what he wants from us, not just what we think is the best for us. and hopefully, we can be humble and obedient to God.
In the first reading, we see that we are members of the household of God - with Jesus as the capstone or the foundation. We are all part of God’s family. As we realize this, may we also give value to what Jesus gives value to - prayer.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder of the power and importance of prayer. I am so sorry for the many times I don't give much importance to prayer. Sorry for the many times I do not give it the importance it deserves. Sorry for making excuses - that i'm tired, busy or that I love you anyway so it's okay not to pray from time to time. May I have the same thirst and hunger for prayer as Jesus, and work little by little to improve my relationship with you through it. As I pray, I ask that you continue to mold me and talk to me. May I love you more through prayer. Amen.
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
October 28, 2015
Reading 1 Eph 2:19-22
Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5
R. (5a) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Alleluia See Te Deum
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 6:12-16
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor
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